Deer
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,592
Likes: 6
From: Florida
RE: Deer
The whistles don't work. Nothing works. The best thing you can do is use your high beams at night so you can see them and they can see you. When you do see them, don't change anything (you can spook them). Of course if they all of a sudden start heading accross in front of you you might then want to do something
. They are not too bright and will usually stay put unless they are spooked. With all of that said, the two legged creatures with the 4-wheeled machines are the ones that I worry about. I havn't seen the actual recorded numbers, but I would put money on it that it's a whole lot more dangerous riding around people than it is around deer.[&:]
. They are not too bright and will usually stay put unless they are spooked. With all of that said, the two legged creatures with the 4-wheeled machines are the ones that I worry about. I havn't seen the actual recorded numbers, but I would put money on it that it's a whole lot more dangerous riding around people than it is around deer.[&:]
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,446
Likes: 1
From:
RE: Deer
XL1200N, we rode down to C.R. Saturday to my wife's sisters. She lives just off Edgewood Rd and she said they had a buck in their back yard. She told us not to ride Edgewood as there are deer hit on this street all the time. We ride up around Backbone State park all the time and deer are my number one concern when riding. Just lost a buddy last fall to a deer, he hit it less than a mile from home. Keep an eye out. Five buddies have hit deer in the last 7 years. 3 ride, 2 to quit, 1 isn't able any more and 1 died.
Just recently a tree farmer that shot a deer to protect his livelyhood, was charged with poaching, this is all pushed by hunters. Back in the day, it was hunting, these days, you just go out and shoot, groups of hunters that don't shoot a dozen deer opening day think they had a bad year.
Just recently a tree farmer that shot a deer to protect his livelyhood, was charged with poaching, this is all pushed by hunters. Back in the day, it was hunting, these days, you just go out and shoot, groups of hunters that don't shoot a dozen deer opening day think they had a bad year.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 291
Likes: 18
From: Kentucky
RE: Deer
I have never been down, but as close as I have ever been was last summer. A deer crossed in front of me, I saw it coming and slowed down. The deer ran into the side of a truck coming from the opposite direction. After impact, the deer now dead I suspect, and on it's side, came sliding back across the lane directly toward me. I veered as far right as I could to remain on pavement. The deer passed literally under my left footboard. That was a neck hair raising moment. I wired my spots to stay on always, even on high beam. I aimed them to either side of my headlight for maximum visibility including periferal vision. Get some cars flashing at me, but I don't care.
Ride safe, and sloooow in deer country.
04Ultra
Ride safe, and sloooow in deer country.
04Ultra
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,511
Likes: 1
From: Michigan
RE: Deer
I hit a doe last fall going 55mph+ at night along a county road. It jumped into the road from a ditch on the right of me so there was no time to react prior to hitting it.
The head went thru between the front fender and wheel and the side of the body hit the engine guard where my foot was resting.
I managed to keep it up after wobbling, stopped but couldn't get it in neutral (adrenaline was high at this time) so had to stand holding the bike up with the clutch in basicallyon my left foot because I thought my rightfoot was broken and looked the bike over. Saw the guard was pushed back an inch or two but that's all I could see from the seat. Decided to ride it home (about8 miles) figuring it would be quicker than calling 911 and waiting.
When I pulled in the garage and got off is when I noticed the twisted front fender and realized how lucky I was. Only ended up with a badly sprained ankle.
No more riding at night in the country for me.
The wife went back the next dayto see if I killed it, found it with a big hole in the side and a twisted neck.
At least we don't have moose in the area.
The head went thru between the front fender and wheel and the side of the body hit the engine guard where my foot was resting.
I managed to keep it up after wobbling, stopped but couldn't get it in neutral (adrenaline was high at this time) so had to stand holding the bike up with the clutch in basicallyon my left foot because I thought my rightfoot was broken and looked the bike over. Saw the guard was pushed back an inch or two but that's all I could see from the seat. Decided to ride it home (about8 miles) figuring it would be quicker than calling 911 and waiting.
When I pulled in the garage and got off is when I noticed the twisted front fender and realized how lucky I was. Only ended up with a badly sprained ankle.
No more riding at night in the country for me.
The wife went back the next dayto see if I killed it, found it with a big hole in the side and a twisted neck.
At least we don't have moose in the area.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,417
Likes: 0
From: Salem, OR
RE: Deer
Thanks for the reminder about keeping on the lookout for deer. Anytime that I am riding on country roads with thick vegeatation on both sides of the road, I find myself keeping alert for any animalsthat could bolt across the road. Especially with the louder exhaust, animals can get spooked easily and run into the road.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,379
Likes: 13
RE: Deer
My brother was hit by a deer a couple of years ago, it jumped out of the brush right into the side of his bike, funny thing, no damage to my brother or the bike, he was going about 35mph, now this is justice, and, you 'd have to know my brother. He got off his bike, collected himself, and proceeded to butcher the deer right on the shoulder of the road. Oh, yes, the deer was killed instantly, well, he finished butchering and boning, put the meat in his saddle bags and took it home. One problem solved, THAT deer won't jump in the road anymore
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,319
Likes: 2
From:
RE: Deer
here are some stats about deer collisions over 1 billion dollars in damage 150 deaths and 10,000 injuries.
http://www.car-accidents.com/pages/d...tatistics.html
http://www.car-accidents.com/pages/d...tatistics.html
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 405
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Deer
I live in the mountains south west of Denver; I see deer 4 of 7 rides. They scare the crap out of me; I almost hit one last year on my Road King. I have lived in the mountains for about 35 years and have hit 4 or 5 in my cars over the years. Every time, they came from behind a tree, up a bank or over a drop off, places that you couldn't see them coming. All you can do is drive slow and keep your eyes open. George
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 734
Likes: 29
From: Arkansas Ozarks
RE: Deer
I just won't hardly ride at night here in the Arkansas Ozarks because of deer. I regularly see deer even in the daytime, but I've not really had that many close calls with them. The worst thing that can happen is to have a doe cross in front of you and get separted from it's offspring with you somewhere in the middle, you never know if the offspring will dart across to momma or if the doe will go back after it's little ones.
I once had a beautiful antlered buck run parallel down the road with me on the other side of a barbed wire fence about 20 yards off the roadway. I was doing about 40 MPH and I noticedit running along side me for about 75 yards before it darted away from me. It could have easily just jumped the fence and darted right front or into me. Scared the crap out of me.
I once had a beautiful antlered buck run parallel down the road with me on the other side of a barbed wire fence about 20 yards off the roadway. I was doing about 40 MPH and I noticedit running along side me for about 75 yards before it darted away from me. It could have easily just jumped the fence and darted right front or into me. Scared the crap out of me.
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
RE: Deer
Deer and moose are common inmy part of the country and are things we have to keep in mind all the time. I refuse to let them dictate the time of day I'll ride but I do slow down and try not to overdrive my lights. Just remember that not only those creatures come from hidden spots, kids from between cars, dogs lying in wait, even birds pickin up sand on the side of the road are hazards that can do really bad things.